Special thanks to the author, Charish Reid and Netgalley for sending me an E-ARC of Hearts on Hold in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this ARC did not affect my rating or review!

The Great: Relatable characters! And not just relatable main characters either. Some of the side characters were absolutely picture-perfect replicas of friends I have in real life as well as images of myself. But our main character, Dr. Victoria Reese is maybe the queen of order after my own heart. She’s smart, driven, witty, and likes things to be planned and executed in a certain fashion. Victoria’s interaction with the world around her as a black woman in academia pulled on every single one of my heartstrings. Now let’s bring in prince charming, Johnny Donovan. Oh my the swoon lol Johnny warmed my heart from the very beginning. He’s a doting uncle, loving brother and maybe the hottest head children's librarian for a public library that I’ve ever read about. Seriously, it’s not fair that he’s a fictional character because I need him in my life. NOW!

Which leads me to my next favorite point, the romance. Oh My Swoon! How badly did I want Victoria and Johnny to be together? Let’s just say I needed all the sexual tension to begin from the first page of the book. Because ya’ll, the chemistry was just shooting out of my iPad. Their interactions were authentic, the witty banter laced with literary innuendos was just fantastic and the steam? Lets also just say I needed a cold shower after a few scenes lol I absolutely rooted for this couple throughout the story and I may or may not have a new romance bae now.

The Good: Reid’s writing style is once again bar none in regards to pulling you into the story effortlessly. I read this book in two days and a majority of the time, I was in my living room with my family and a million other things was happening around me. While I was, in the midwest with Victoria and Johnny the entire time.

I also enjoyed the character development. Specifically, Victoria’s character development. Her transformation throughout the story felt authentic and well-thought out. And the best part, is that I can see Veronica’s growth well past this story. If we’re lucky to get a sequel, I look forward to reading how she’s progressed.

Overall, a great way to end last year and start the new year. I recommend Hearts on Hold to romance lovers who are looking for a twist on common romance tropes, wanting to connect effortlessly with characters and fall in love with a beautiful story.

This review is also posted on my blog, eattravelread.com

My last read of 2019 was this swoony and sexy Professor and Librarian romance, forthcoming from Charish Reid!

Dr. Victoria Reese is tightly wound and trying to make her mark at her prestigious and mostly white University. Being a Black woman in academia brings her both fulfillment and stress.

One of her new initiatives brings the sexy head Children's librarian and maybe a Viking John Donovan into her life.

Wildly attracted to John, Victoria attempts to plan via spreadsheet a torrid affair with the more than willing Johnny. But Johnny is just as determined to show Victorian that sometimes going off calendar can be just as good.

I really loved this one! I had to forgive Johnny a pretty egregious library worker mistake early on, but who cares really. I sure didn't as I fell in love with both characters.
There is absolutely delicious consent too.
I also appreciated the ADD representation.

Preorder this one now, Hearts on Hold is available February 3rd, 2020. *I received a free copy to review from @netgalley*

This review will be run on Goodreads on December 20th, 2019

The tl;dr: Buy This Book!

The story of Victoria and John is more than a story about falling in love. It is a story about DuBois' double consciousness, family, and finding yourself. Victoria is a Black professor at a prestigious White university who wears so many masks she can't find herself anymore. She feels like she doesn't belong and is wearing herself ragged trying to prove she does. She has two great friends (who I would love to see in future novels) but doesn't have any space to breathe. She is always on.

John is a children's librarian who is laid-back and comes into Victoria's orbit when they work together on a project she has pitched to the university. I thought the initial encounter of their relationship was too fast but the rest of the novel was paced perfectly. I really liked the John didn't "save' Victoria. He merely provided a place for her to rest and be herself. He provided love and security but in the end this is Victoria's story.

I could feel Victoria winding tighter and tighter as the novel progressed and the burden of a double consciousness and her insecurities increased.

This romance was swoon worthy, fun, well-paced, and nuanced. It would make a great addition to any romance lovers' shelf.

My only quibble with this book was the way that John's niece's father's abandonment was treated. John and his sister made excuses to Becca about her father because they didn't want her to think badly about her father. The truth is that, in pursuing a strategy like that, they are only going to make Becca feel badly about herself. They should have been upfront with her that what he was doing was wrong, was not acceptable and was not her fault.

Note: I received a NetGalley eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A great read.

John and Victoria meet through work, but soon they are emarking on some casual fun together. Will it turn in to more?

I liked how it is told from each of their points of view, and the other characters, such as John's Mum and Step-Mum were great fun.

First book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it.

Victoria is a black anal retentive driven college professor looking to start an internship for her students at the public library. John is a white messy laid back Children’s Librarian looking after his niece while his sister is in Sweden. But opposite’s attract, right? This book is filled with realistic dialogue and plot. The main characters are well drawn and sympathetic and the supporting characters are as well. Subplots add depth. I would recommend this book to my patrons.